Centre College hosts Fall Internship Showcase

As part of the Centre Commitment, every Centre College student is guaranteed an internship or research opportunity, and this fall, 39 students held internship positions in various locations locally and abroad through the Centre-in-Washington, D.C. and Centre-in-China programs. Several interns recently presented their work at the Fall Internship Showcase held at the College’s Norton Center for the Arts, Nov. 28.

“This group of interns held quite a variety of positions—from athletic administration to historical research to project management and business development,” said Mindy Wilson, associate director of the Center for Career & Professional Development. “It’s always exciting to see students find internships that match their career interests, and even more exciting to see them learn and network in those fields.”

Spanish major Ben Bennett ’20 (Frankfort, Kentucky) interned on campus in the communications office, where he wrote news stories for the College’s website.

“I learned how Centre works to promote itself, which included understanding the College’s specific educational brand and what that means in writing news stories,” he said.

Bennett said his favorite part about this experience was writing internship stories.

“Students are always so excited to not only be on Centre’s website but also to talk about what they did, and they are very passionate about it,” he added.

Senior Drew Schacht (Lexington, Kentucky) spent his semester learning about the bourbon industry at Wilderness Trail Distillery located in Danville.

“Working in a distillery was everything I wanted it to be—learning about an industry that’s very uniquely Kentucky,” he said.

As an economics and finance major with a business mindset, Schacht was able to see all the ins-and-outs of marketing, as well as learn how a distillery in Danville has been able to grow exponentially.

“I went out there for a marketing, economics and finance experience, but I kind of came away with a history lesson about how bourbon is such an integral part of Kentucky,” he added.

Kenzie Robinson (Louisville, Kentucky), who will graduate in December, gained experience before landing a position she found through her internship.

Robinson interned at the Trilogy Foundation in Louisville, which she described as similar to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, but for senior citizens, where they help make their dreams come true.

“One of the projects I worked on was taking this guy up in an airplane,” she said. “He was completely immobile. He had a stroke that left him unable to move or speak, but he just really wanted to ride in an airplane.

“He was up there and crying happy tears but couldn’t really talk,” she continued. “We were able to fly him over the house he grew up in, and it was just a really incredible experience.”

By working with this non-profit during her last semester, she was able to land and start a job at the Family Scholar House in Louisville.

“I would never trade my opportunity to have an internship,” Robinson concluded. “I think everyone should have an internship, because it opens your eyes to a lot of different experiences, and even if it’s outside of your major or your interests, it really provides an opportunity for growth.”